BYD electric hypercar became the fastest car in China (7 photos)

The BYD concern shared the achievements of the electric hypercar Yangwang U9, which in recent days has distinguished itself with two interesting results at once. At the German Papenburg circuit, the coupe was able to accelerate to 391.94 km/ h, which conditionally made it the fastest production car in China. The electric car also drove the iconic Nurburgring, but did not show impressive results.





At the Papenburg circuit, where, for example, Bugatti set its speed records, the Chinese coupe was brought in a slightly modified form. The Yangwang U9 has acquired modified aerodynamics — the emphasis has shifted from downforce to maximum streamlining by eliminating the wing and a new front splitter. The electric car has lightweight wheels, and the power electronics software has been changed. It is noteworthy that the standard maximum speed of the U9 is only 306 km/h.



At the Nurburgring, BYD testers reportedly spent about six months studying the capabilities of the hypercar and selecting the most effective settings for the powertrain and chassis. The electric car completed a 20.8 km lap on a track that is considered one of the most difficult in the world in 7 minutes and 17.9 seconds. The U9 was more than half a minute slower than the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype and was about 10 seconds behind the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, but was able to overtake the Taycan Turbo S and Tesla Model S Plaid. The fastest production electric car on the track is the Rimac Nevera with a result of 7 minutes and 5.3 seconds. One way or another, the two-door turned out to be the fastest BYD on the Nordschleife.





Probably, BYD engineers drove the 1,306-horsepower hypercar around the Nurburgring not for the sake of a record, but in order to optimize its driving characteristics. The first U9 shows took place in the spring of 2023, but the concern launched production and deliveries of the coupe only at the beginning of this fall.